"The weather is a lot cooler this time of the year- more people will want to pour into the streets," said Mohnish Malhotra, pictured, one of the event organizers. "But this time - for the first time - we are here to celebrate," he added.

"The weather is a lot cooler this time of the year- more people will want to pour into the streets," said Mohnish Malhotra, pictured, one of the event organizers. "But this time - for the first time - we are here to celebrate," he added.

"The crowd is mushrooming!" said an enthusiastic Nidhi Agarwal, pictured. Despite the 377 judgment, the 35-year old activist said there are still many social hurdles for the local homosexual community, adding: "It's a long road ahead."

"The crowd is mushrooming!" said an enthusiastic Nidhi Agarwal, pictured. Despite the 377 judgment, the 35-year old activist said there are still many social hurdles for the local homosexual community, adding: "It's a long road ahead."

Rajveer, left, with his partner Tina, right. The couple has been together for four years and it's the first gay pride event they have attended. Rajveer, 22, said that since Section 377 was revoked, things have changed for the better. "Now I feel I can openly say, 'I'm gay,'" he said.

Rajveer, left, with his partner Tina, right. The couple has been together for four years and it's the first gay pride event they have attended. Rajveer, 22, said that since Section 377 was revoked, things have changed for the better. "Now I feel I can openly say, 'I'm gay,'" he said.

Mr. Sharma's mother and grandmother also participated. "Freedom is one of the foundations of our constitution - why shouldn’t they be allowed to live freely as well?" said Rani Sharma, the grandmother.

Mr. Sharma's mother and grandmother also participated. "Freedom is one of the foundations of our constitution - why shouldn’t they be allowed to live freely as well?" said Rani Sharma, the grandmother.

Not all families are as supportive of their gay relatives as the Sharmas. 19-year old Rajit, pictured, chose to mask his face for fear of being identified. "My family doesn’t know about me, they are quite conservative," he said.

Not all families are as supportive of their gay relatives as the Sharmas. 19-year old Rajit, pictured, chose to mask his face for fear of being identified. "My family doesn’t know about me, they are quite conservative," he said.

Rajit was not alone. Many who attended the event covered their faces, albeit with rather flamboyant masks. Social attitudes - particularly within their families - remain the biggest hurdle for gay and lesbians in India.

Rajit was not alone. Many who attended the event covered their faces, albeit with rather flamboyant masks. Social attitudes - particularly within their families - remain the biggest hurdle for gay and lesbians in India.

Rajiv Dua, 46, a veteran gay-rights activist, has been campaigning in India since the 1980s. "Many of my friends were forced into marriages, others committed suicide and some died of HIV/AIDS," said Mr. Dua, explaining what initially drew him to the cause. He says communications technology in the last decade has furthered the cause of India's gay community in terms of awareness and organization.

Rajiv Dua, 46, a veteran gay-rights activist, has been campaigning in India since the 1980s. "Many of my friends were forced into marriages, others committed suicide and some died of HIV/AIDS," said Mr. Dua, explaining what initially drew him to the cause. He says communications technology in the last decade has furthered the cause of India's gay community in terms of awareness and organization.